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We already hate your game

I

inm8num2

Member
This is from an article over 10 years old. I still find it hilarious and insightful. The subject of adventure games is certainly interchangeable with any genre or type of game.

I'm not critiquing anybody specific (gamer or developer), this forum, or any other forum. It's more of a general observation of how we, as gamers, sometimes go through these motions as we find out about games, follow their development, and eventually play them.

My only real intention of starting this thread is to talk about whether there is any issue with how we follow game development, or if it's just the nature of the beast.

http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17539

February 1st, 2001

Dear Small Game Developer,

Hello there. I am Anonymous Adventure Fan. I read today that you are going to be developing an adventure game. Being the huge devoted fan of the genre that I am, I was very excited to hear this. All of the companies that used to make good adventure games are greedy suckbag sellouts and don’t care about their true fans anymore, so it’s nice to hear someone still wants to develop adventures. I look forward to your game.

Sincerely,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
February 15th, 2001

Dear Developer,

I read the announcement about the name of your game today, and I’m concerned. It sounds like just another boring, pointless shoot-em-up with a story. I realize that absolutely nothing about the game has been announced, but I think the title makes it clear the direction you’re going, and the last thing we need is another crappy hybrid. I hope you’ll rethink this direction, or I won’t buy the game.

Sincerely,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
April 10th, 2001

Dear Developer,

Today I read the preview of your game online. I think it’s a really stupid story. It’s not at all how I would have written it. The preview says that it will be a purist adventure, completely free of action elements, but you chose to use Interface XYZ for the game. What a dumb idea. That interface is impossible to use, no matter how it’s implemented. I prefer Interface ZYX, and this announcement confirms that your game will not be very good.

Disappointed,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
June 1st, 2001

Dear Developer,

Thank you for releasing screen shots on your website today. Took you long enough. Not like we’ve been waiting four months or anything. Anyway, I’ve never had any experience with art, especially computer art, but those shots sure looked amateur. The quality was terrible, the character looked really stupid, and it was just generally so bad my eyes hurt when I was done looking. And can’t you add some more detail to those backgrounds?

Very Concerned,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
August 8th, 2001

Dear Suckbag Sellout,

Way to go, screwups. The short teaser demo of the game confirmed that it will be absolutely terrible. Why did you think that we would want to see any part of the game before it’s ready to be released? And why is it so far away from release anyway? What’s a matter, forty hours a week is too much for you guys? I don’t know anything about your company or your staff, but you’re obviously slackers. And can’t this demo be any longer? It’s like, just when I’m really interested in what happens next, it ends!

I have a few more complaints for you. First of all, the animation sucks. I think I heard my GeForce 4 Ti card yawn, it was so underused. It’s not 1999 anymore, guys! When I shell out $400 for a video card, I expect new games to take advantage of it. I won’t enjoy the game otherwise, and I’m sure I speak for all other adventure gamers.

Also, the voice acting is terrible. Whatever you paid this Jack Johnson to do the main character’s voice, he sounds nothing like how I think the character should sound. I see someone more like Kevin Spacey in the main role; I would think that much should be obvious. If you’re not willing to pay the big bucks for real voice actors, why bother making a game? I realize you’re a brand new startup company without any money making this game because you love the genre, but isn’t that what banks are for?

The story’s okay, I guess. But I told you the interface would bring everything down, and I was right. Look, we all know your game’s going to be another suckfest like King’s Quest:Mask of Sellout, or Indiana Jones and the Corporate Greed Machine. I am circulating a petition to boycott your game. Please don’t bother finishing it. I already hate it.

I Knew It Would Suck,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
March 15th, 2002

Dear New Favorite Company,

I read today that a sequel to your first adventure game has been announced, and that because so many people purchased that first game after the reviews were so glowing, you’re going to have a much bigger budget for this game, plus you have ideas for new adventure games. I just wanted to tell you that I had confidence you would be able to fix the problems and create such a quality game. It’s nice to see that some developers still realize that the story and characters are the only important parts of an adventure game. I hope you never forget that adventure gamers will always be your most loyal and devoted fans, as long as you don’t sell out. Looking forward to your future projects!

Your Biggest Supporter,

Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...
March 16th, 2002

Dear Company,

Okay, the first game was a masterpiece, but I have some concerns about this new one…
Click to expand...

edit - darn, forgot to make a better title instead of the placeholder one I was using to preview the post and make sure I didn't screw up the quotes
 
P

Pillville

Member
It's more depressing to realize 10 years ago was 2002. I pictured mid 90s when I read 10 years ago.

I'm old.................
 
MagiusNecros

MagiusNecros

Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
Sounds like fans not knowing what they want. To be honest these messages probably got chucked into a spam filter.
 
I

inm8num2

Member
MagiusNecros said:
Sounds like fans not knowing what they want. To be honest these messages probably got chucked into a spam filter.
Click to expand...

But I think that's the point of the article, among others. And in case it wasn't clear the letters aren't real, just created to illustrate a point.
 
J

Jac_Solar

Member
That article is extremely exaggerated and silly. Sure, they meant to convey the opinion of the gamer", which is a multitude of opinions, but no one really talks like that. It's just a bit much. If they meant that the naysayers are the most vocal, that's probably true, but that's just a small amount of people.

Fans tend to go a bit overboard, indeed, but we're talking about the gaming industry here - what do you expect, it mixes creativity with business, and is an entirely demand based, luxury business/hobby?

Games cost money. (Retail.) Games are specifically advertised and even developed for certain groups - they designed the game with the expectation that you were going to buy it.

They intentionally mislead with advertising, previews and such - so, of course you have the right to be upset if it wasn't exactly as advertised - or how you thought it was going to be (Due to the lies of previews and advertising.)
 
G

gryz

Banned
Jac_Solar said:
That article is extremely exaggerated and silly. Sure, they meant to convey the opinion of the gamer", which is a multitude of opinions, but no one really talks like that. It's just a bit much. If they meant that the naysayers are the most vocal, that's probably true, but that's just a small amount of people.

Fans tend to go a bit overboard, indeed, but we're talking about the gaming industry here - what do you expect, it mixes creativity with business, and is an entirely demand based, luxury business/hobby?

Games cost money. (Retail.) Games are specifically advertised and even developed for certain groups - they designed the game with the expectation that you were going to buy it.

They intentionally mislead with advertising, previews and such - so, of course you have the right to be upset if it wasn't exactly as advertised - or how you thought it was going to be (Due to the lies of previews and advertising.)
Click to expand...

whatever you say, Anonymous Fan
 
E

ElFly

Member
Jac_Solar said:
That article is extremely exaggerated and silly. Sure, they meant to convey the opinion of the gamer", which is a multitude of opinions, but no one really talks like that. It's just a bit much. If they meant that the naysayers are the most vocal, that's probably true, but that's just a small amount of people.

Fans tend to go a bit overboard, indeed, but we're talking about the gaming industry here - what do you expect, it mixes creativity with business, and is an entirely demand based, luxury business/hobby?

Games cost money. (Retail.) Games are specifically advertised and even developed for certain groups - they designed the game with the expectation that you were going to buy it.

They intentionally mislead with advertising, previews and such - so, of course you have the right to be upset if it wasn't exactly as advertised - or how you thought it was going to be (Due to the lies of previews and advertising.)
Click to expand...

There's some self selecting bias here.

People willing to write a letter to game companies are the ones who are the most passionate about it.

Nobody will write a letter to a company saying hey I thought your last game is ok and I have some concerns about the new one but I guess it will be fine dunno.
 
DangerStepp

DangerStepp

Member
Jac_Solar said:
That article is extremely exaggerated and silly. Sure, they meant to convey the opinion of the gamer", which is a multitude of opinions, but no one really talks like that. It's just a bit much. If they meant that the naysayers are the most vocal, that's probably true, but that's just a small amount of people.

Fans tend to go a bit overboard, indeed, but we're talking about the gaming industry here - what do you expect, it mixes creativity with business, and is an entirely demand based, luxury business/hobby?

Games cost money. (Retail.) Games are specifically advertised and even developed for certain groups - they designed the game with the expectation that you were going to buy it.

They intentionally mislead with advertising, previews and such - so, of course you have the right to be upset if it wasn't exactly as advertised - or how you thought it was going to be (Due to the lies of previews and advertising.)
Click to expand...
It's called 'satire'...I believe that's the point.
 
R

RurouniZel

Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Reminds me of the debacle surrounding Windwaker's art direction all this years ago. Hate hate hate hate hate hate LOVE LOVE WHY DON'T THEY DO THIS AGAIN?!?
 
S

Steve Youngblood

Member
I don't want to seem like too much of a killjoy here, but I want to chime in and suggest NOT making this thread about a certain negative poster. 80% of the posts in this thread were about a currently banned poster.
 
F

Filthy Blood Junkie

Banned
This is only slightly apart from how I really feel about some game developers. Like whoever made the new Ninja Gaiden and also Metriod other M.
They don't need so many QTEs.



Really funny though. Made me laugh OP. Thanks.
 
I

inm8num2

Member
I think these sentiments are especially coming out on some kickstarter projects, where people had increased expectations for various reasons.

As certain games have developed into something different than what some backers envisioned, they've been especially vocal with their displeasure.
 
J

Jac_Solar

Member
DangerStepp said:
It's called 'satire'...I believe that's the point.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I got that. At first it sounded like a real letter, but then it became so exaggerated that it just undermined the point I assume it was trying to make. (Gamers are spoiled, "entitled", self righteous.).

What's wrong with demanding stuff from a game and project that will demand 60$ from you? If they were giving them away for free, or if the creators/producers/publishers had reasons for making/funding the game beyond making a profit (Artistic reasons.) then it'd obviously be a different matter.

It's entertainment, and these games aren't aimed at 1 person, it's aimed at as many people as possible - is there anything wrong with some of those people making demands?

I was just arguing that gamers deserve the right to complain, and be heard, since they expect us to buy their games. If you find out that a game that's currently being advertised "to you", trying to get you to buy it, to pay 60$ for it, is actually really bad, of course you should be a bit upset.

Or if it's a franchise you're fond of - if the "remake" or sequel turns out to be extremely bad, it will retroactively taint the previous games. The reputation of the games will suffer, another sequel or remake is very unlikely, etc.

The retail gaming industry is extremely greedy. Gamers are wary. e.

gryz said:
whatever you say, Anonymous Fan
Click to expand...

lol. :p
 
M

MattKeil

BIGTIME TV MOGUL #2
Jac_Solar said:
Yeah, I got that. At first it sounded like a real letter, but then it became so exaggerated that it just undermined the point I assume it was trying to make. (Gamers are spoiled, "entitled", self righteous.).
Click to expand...

It didn't undermine anything, it satirized the situation it depicted. Satire generally relies heavily on exaggeration.
 
A

Almighty

Member
Sounds like me.

Minus the last few letters. DXHR was really the only game where I went from this will suck a pile of moldy ass to this game is fantastic. The rest I thought would suck and then only confirmed my suspicions.

This Anonymous Fan needs to quit being so fickle. Get negative and stay negative my friend.
 
R

ReaperXL7

Member
SuckBag huh? I may have to use that for the future.

Those letters are likely actually pretty tame compared to what some people really send developers way. People have gotten to a point where they will threaten developers, and their families, throw out all kinds of names, and obsenities. "Gamer" culture has a fairly negative perception placed on it because of the attitudes, and reactions the community has to even the slightest thing they dont like.Combine that with how many speak to othet people over multiplayer games, and comment sections, and its really not all that surprising why many devs do not want anything to do with community interaction.
 
DangerStepp

DangerStepp

Member
Jac_Solar said:
Yeah, I got that. At first it sounded like a real letter, but then it became so exaggerated that it just undermined the point I assume it was trying to make. (Gamers are spoiled, "entitled", self righteous.).

What's wrong with demanding stuff from a game and project that will demand 60$ from you? If they were giving them away for free, or if the creators/producers/publishers had reasons for making/funding the game beyond making a profit (Artistic reasons.) then it'd obviously be a different matter.

It's entertainment, and these games aren't aimed at 1 person, it's aimed at as many people as possible - is there anything wrong with some of those people making demands?

I was just arguing that gamers deserve the right to complain, and be heard, since they expect us to buy their games. If you find out that a game that's currently being advertised "to you", trying to get you to buy it, to pay 60$ for it, is actually really bad, of course you should be a bit upset.

Or if it's a franchise you're fond of - if the "remake" or sequel turns out to be extremely bad, it will retroactively taint the previous games. The reputation of the games will suffer, another sequel or remake is very unlikely, etc.

The retail gaming industry is extremely greedy. Gamers are wary. e.
Click to expand...
I totally agree with all that, but the point is that this is a satirical commentary on the 'gamer flip'

"I love you, you're a great developer/I hate you, you fucked it all up"
 
L

Lunzio

Member
Interesting article as many people seem to be approach game criticism by looking at what is inherently bad about the game.
 
M

MasterOfPastures

Banned
The part about calling devs slackers because of "ok" graphics reminds of many fools on GAF complaining or tearing down an entire game because of them. Especially now during GC.
 
J

Jac_Solar

Member
MattKeil said:
It didn't undermine anything, it satirized the situation it depicted. Satire generally relies heavily on exaggeration.
Click to expand...

Sure, but in this case it's too over the top, and it's just not funny. It seems like it's written by someone who's fed up with whiny gamers, someone with an agenda. And that is what it's supposed to make fun of, right? Whiny gamers? That is my issue. It tries to make light of the situation where gamers whine about games, when they have every right to whine and complain.

If it was supposed to be read like it was written by an angry developer who's fed up with whiny gamers, and it satirizes the fact that developers complain about gamers, who have every right to complain, then yes, it's amusing.

If it's supposed to be an entirely satirical piece, as in a joke with no direct agenda, then I did misunderstand - I thought it lacked the humor necessary to warrant its own thread or a post.
 
S

SapientWolf

Trucker Sexologist
Jac_Solar said:
That article is extremely exaggerated and silly. Sure, they meant to convey the opinion of the gamer", which is a multitude of opinions, but no one really talks like that. It's just a bit much. If they meant that the naysayers are the most vocal, that's probably true, but that's just a small amount of people.

Fans tend to go a bit overboard, indeed, but we're talking about the gaming industry here - what do you expect, it mixes creativity with business, and is an entirely demand based, luxury business/hobby?

Games cost money. (Retail.) Games are specifically advertised and even developed for certain groups - they designed the game with the expectation that you were going to buy it.

They intentionally mislead with advertising, previews and such - so, of course you have the right to be upset if it wasn't exactly as advertised - or how you thought it was going to be (Due to the lies of previews and advertising.)
Click to expand...
They pretty much do on any official game forum you can find.
 
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